SEPTEMBER 21, 2012: Members turned out, by the hundreds, at the Annual Meetings, first in Randolph and then in Pittsfield for those living in Western Mass. “While the western meeting has traditionally been held in Pittsfield, this was our fourth year at Lantana’s in Randolph,” according to Association Meeting Coordinator Leo Delaney.

Friday, June 15, 2012, 11:00 am

Space is Limited, Reserve Your Tickets Today!

MAY 11, 2012: June is just around the corner and with it comes our Annual Greater Boston Luncheon to be held on June 22, 2012 at 12:00 noon. Once again, it will be held at the Holiday Inn, Route 1, Dedham.

Our Annual Spring Luncheon is a great opportunity to enjoy lunch with your former coworkers and fellow retirees, while hearing the latest retirement and healthcare news from Association officials. Guests are always welcome at our events as well.

Association Appointed To Commissions

JANUARY 2012: Anyone hoping that the recently passed “Pension Reform III” (Chapter 176) would mark the end, at least for the foreseeable future, of further changes in pension and health insurance benefits will be sorely disappointed. Contained within the final pages of the new law is the establishment of four separate studies or commissions – all aimed at making greater changes to pension and health insurance benefits.

JANUARY 2012 VOICE: As clearly evident from the lead story, our Association is disappointed at the outcome of the latest installment of Pension Reform, which, we believe, saddles future employees with the debt created by past generations of government officials who failed to properly fund the government’s share of pension obligations. In addition to seeking fair and equitable treatment for future government workers, we also strongly advocated our position that existing benefit inequalities be addressed through Pension Reform III.

Earnings Cap Raised

JANUARY 2012 VOICE: Of interest to some members in the new Pension Reform law (Chapter 176), Senate leaders agreed to a floor amendment, sponsored by the Mass. Police Association and backed by our Association, that increases the part-time earnings limits for superannuation retirees who return to public service, on part-time basis, within Massachusetts government. Senator Michael Rodriques (D-Westport) carried the amendment on the Senate floor, which was unanimously accepted.

JANUARY 2012 VOICE: Contained within the myriad of issues addressed by the new Pension Reform Law (Chapter 176, Acts of 2011) is a section that eases the annual reporting requirements of long-term disability retirees, in connection with earned income, if any, during a calendar year.

State aid cuts, lack of growth are cited

December 7 2011: Cash-strapped cities and towns across Massachusetts are struggling with the worst stress on their budgets since passage of Proposition 2 1/2 in 1980, according to a new report from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

DECEMBER 6, 2012: If you are a retired state employee or teacher, the amount of your pension and former agency or workplace is now on the state-run “Open Checkbook” website available to anyone with a computer.

Since 1968 the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association has been the leading voice for Massachusetts public retirees and their families. Join with our 62,000 members as we continue the fight.